77 GS400 to Cafe Project

[pete]

Pete, I was very surprised too. I have several 450 items on my 400 and they have all be a straight swap. The tank fitted but would need an alternative petcock arrangement. Not to worry. I'm sure I can get my money back no problem

Mark

Oh well... that's how it goes sometimes I guess. Pity because that pic of yours shows it would really suit the Laverda style... hang onto it for a while if you can just in case you decide it's a better alternative and decide to do something about making it fit... and yeah I reckon you should get your money back easy enough too.

Mate that's nice! I really like that

Bummer on the 450 tank though, I thought that would be a shoe in for fit... bugger! Sorry 'bout that...

Pete, I was very surprised too. I have several 450 items on my 400 and they have all be a straight swap. The tank fitted but would need an alternative petcock arrangement. Not to worry. I'm sure I can get my money back no problem

Mark

[pete]

Mate that's nice! I really like that

Bummer on the 450 tank though, I thought that would be a shoe in for fit... bugger! Sorry 'bout that...

So following the mid-build crisis regarding the shape of the gas tank, I bought a 450 tank with the intent of throwing the cafe'd 550 version I had been building around so far.



Not the greatest pic I know, but what you dont see is the narrow neck by the steering stem + the petcock resting on the frame. Could be worked around but still not floating my boat.
EDIT: April 2012 - my mistake, the 450 gas tank does drop onto the 400, just have to careful getting it on/ off so the petcock does not take paint off the frame. Starting to like the 450 tank now !

So back to the original 550 tank (and moving the 450 tank to the future sale pile), additional modifications still necessary......



...a little work with the Dremmel.....



...and a few Dollars more......





Intention will be to fill the area where the stock fuel flap used to be to smooth flow and possibly mount the ignition switch in that hole between the end of the tank and the steering head.

Mark

[pete]

Thanks Good Times, I do hope so. I'm just have some doubts at the moment.........like a mid-build crisis

Mark

Hahahaha classic...

She'll be right mate, you just need a little trip to Singapore... oh wait you're doing that already

Thanks Good Times, I do hope so. I'm just have some doubts at the moment.........like a mid-build crisis

Mark

You're doing good work. Just keep at it. We have to push through sometimes but it is worth it in the end. A lot of little things add up to a great result.

Nice build Englishman. This is going to be a cool bike when you are finished.

Thanks Good Times, I do hope so. I'm just have some doubts at the moment.........like a mid-build crisis

Mark

Nice build Englishman. This is going to be a cool bike when you are finished.

Jetsetting hey? Work or pleasure?

My only issue with ones like the Pingles is that knowing me I'd forget to turn it off and end up with fuel in the oil...

This week is work attending a conference, but Singapore is always a pleasure too. Actually an ant just walked over my iPad screen - looks like I need to do a Bug check in my room

I have never had a bike with the vacuum petcock. All my previous carb fitted bikes had the simple on/off valve from the late 70's until 1999 when I moved to the States. I can't remember if the 70's and 80's GS models in the UK had the vacuum petcock or not and this is my first Suzuki in 30 years of riding. I don't recall anyone raving or cursing them one way or the other.

Mark

[pete]

Pete
I won't find out it's true condition until next weekend. Flying closer to you this saturday to Singapore for the week and likely jet lagged the following weekend too. If my 400 petcock won't fit, then likely I will go to a Pingle valve as I prefer their simplicity

Mark

Jetsetting hey? Work or pleasure?

My only issue with ones like the Pingles is that knowing me I'd forget to turn it off and end up with fuel in the oil...

Awesome Mark! Glad I was able to help out, just hope it's in good enough shape as I only had a very quick look, but $85 is great!

Going by the one dodgy photo on that auction it looks like cosmetic work only is required although you can't see inside. If the fuel tap from your tank doesn't work they're around the $75 - 80 new from Boulevard Suzuki ...

Pete
I won't find out it's true condition until next weekend. Flying closer to you this saturday to Singapore for the week and likely jet lagged the following weekend too. If my 400 petcock won't fit, then likely I will go to a Pingle valve as I prefer their simplicity

Mark

[pete]

Pete

$100 is actually low for one of these. I use the iPad app for eBay and search everyday under "Suzuki GS450"' 425 & 400. This had not come up in my searches. It's was listed under antiques and did not mention Suzuki. Seller accepted my $85 offer. Thanks for the heads up Pete.

I had been trying to get one of these
http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/270891307476?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%3A80%2Fs ch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570.l2736%2 6_nkw%3D270891307476%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_687wt_94 8

Awesome Mark! Glad I was able to help out, just hope it's in good enough shape as I only had a very quick look, but $85 is great!

Looking at that Laverda auction, yeah I can see why one of those is a budget killer...

Going by the one dodgy photo on that auction it looks like cosmetic work only is required although you can't see inside. If the fuel tap from your tank doesn't work they're around the $75 - 80 new from Boulevard Suzuki and if there's any rust inside just use the POR 15 kit and it will clean right up for you and stop it happening again. I've got a couple of thousand km's on mine with the POR 15 kit through it now and having no issues at all.

Edit: Forgot to add I've found that eBay app to be crap. I've used it a few times for curiousity's sake but never turns up the same results as the real deal...

$100 too much for you?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/81-Gs-450-Gas-Tank-/260969046630?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cc2f7a266

Local wreckers may be?

But if you were to mock up with your headlight as it is I think you will see a difference, and if you look at your inspiration Laverda photo on your first post, you'll see the size of the tank is about the same as what you have on there now, so I think you'll

Pete

$100 is actually low for one of these. I use the iPad app for eBay and search everyday under "Suzuki GS450"' 425 & 400. This had not come up in my searches. It's was listed under antiques and did not mention Suzuki. Seller accepted my $85 offer. Thanks for the heads up Pete.

I had been trying to get one of these
http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/270891307476?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%3A80%2Fs ch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570.l2736%2 6_nkw%3D270891307476%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_687wt_94 8

[pete]

$100 too much for you?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/81-Gs-450-Gas-Tank-/260969046630?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cc2f7a266

Local wreckers may be?

But if you were to mock up with your headlight as it is I think you will see a difference, and if you look at your inspiration Laverda photo on your first post, you'll see the size of the tank is about the same as what you have on there now, so I think you'll be right...

Also, some 450 bits on here for sale, not sure if there's an E/S tank in there or not:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=188756

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=188209&highlight=450

I think the tires look fine but that rear hump could use some work. Either get rid of the bottom or cut the top down some.

Here's the thing, when I look at the bike, I can't help but think that the tail needs to be larger. Pictures don't seam to capture this.

Ok, here's my opinion... take it with a grain of salt...

Tyres are good, tail piece is fine, but the white compared with the finish on the tank in their current state makes the tail look too big and bulky.

You're missing something bulkier up the front to offset the tail, and a bikini fairing along the lines of the Laverda inspiration in your first post would do nicely to fix that

Pete, I think you are right that the mix of colours don't help any in the perspective looks. I have been trying to get a larger tank, but as they all cost more than the bike, I can't justify it to myself. A fairing may be the link to pull it together.

Thanks for the thoughts guys
Mark